MLB notes: Madson joins Reds; bitterness lingers

Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Ryan Madson throws against the San Francisco Giants in the seventh inning during Game 6 of their Major League Baseball NLCS playoff series in Philadelphia, October 23, 2010. (REUTERS/Brian Snyder)

Latest News

QMI Agency

Jan 11, 2012

, Last Updated: 7:16 PM ET

It's a mere shadow of the deal Ryan Madson was negotiating with the Philadelphia Phillies, but the relief pitcher has hit the jackpot nonetheless, signing a one-year, $8.5-million contract with the Cincinnati Reds.

Some bitterness still surrounds the four-year, $44-million deal the Phils supposedly offered Madson in November.

Madson's agent, Scott Boras, told ESPN.com Wednesday they had accepted the proposal from the Phils.

"It's very simple," Boras said. "We never rejected any offer from Philadelphia at four years and $44 million. We advised Philadelphia that we would agree to such a proposal. And Philadelphia decided upon hearing that to go in a different direction.

IN a separate interview, Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. disagreed with Boras.

"All I can tell you is, there was never an agreement, and we decided that we wanted to sign someone with the experience and the ability of Jonathan Papelbon. So we went that route," Amaro said.

Madson, 31, had 32 saves and a 2.37 earned-run average for the Phillies in 2011 after taking over for the injured Brad Lidge as the closer. He made $5.1 million last season.

FIELDER A BIG CONCERN

The Washington Nationals, thought to be frontrunners for Prince Fielder, almost certainly won't be signing the free-agent first baseman, partly because of his weight, MLB.com reported Wednesday.

An anonymous source claims there is a "99%" chance that Fielder will not be moving to the nation's capital.

The source said The Nats are not willing to give Fielder anything close to the 10-year, $240-million contract the Los Angeles Angels gave first baseman Albert Pujols.

Members of the Washington front office believe that Fielder, who is listed at 5-foot-11 and 275 pounds, is destined to become a designated hitter within a few years because of his physical condition.

Fielder, 27, hit .299 with 38 home runs and 120 RBI in 2011 with the Milwaukee Brewers.

MORALES SET TO RETURN

The Los Angeles Angels and first baseman Kendrys Morales -- who missed last season -- have avoided arbitration, agreeing Wednesday to a one-year contract.

Morales is coming off several surgical procedures on his left ankle, which he broke May 29, 2010 while jumping on to home plate after hitting a game-ending grand slam against Seattle.

Morales, 28, finally has been cleared to run again and to train for baseball.

The native of Cuba finished fifth in the AL MVP voting in 2009 after batting .306 for the Angels with 34 home runs and 108 RBI.

BRIEFLY

The Toronto Blue Jays, who are on a winter tour, made a $10,000 donation Wednesday to The Montreal Children's Hospital Foundation for the purchase of a neurophysiological monitor. General manager Alex Anthopoulos, manager John Farrell and players J.P. Arencibia, Brett Cecil, Casey Janssen, Brett Lawrie, Ricky Romero and Eric Thames visited children at the hospital ... The Houston Astros have claimed outfielder Fernando Martinez off waivers from the New York Mets.

Martinez, 23, spent most of last season with triple-A Buffalo and hit .260 with eight home runs and 30 RBI. He has played in 47 games over parts of three seasons with New York ... The Mets plan to finalize the sale of as many as seven minority shares during the coming weeks. The 4% shares cost $20 million each and will give a lift to the financially troubled team ... Right-handed pitcher Blake Hawksworth is having arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow to clean up scar tissue and an elbow spur. Recovery is estimated at four to six weeks. Hawksworth went 2-5 with a 4.08 ERA last season.